The race to the White House is in full swing, and the election will take place on 5 November 2024. Both candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, are still campaigning, and both have adopted very different styles. Amid the attacks they have launched on each other is one accusation that is still being talked about in the media—Trump and his supporters doubt the that Kamala Harris has worked in McDonald's.
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McDonald's reveal staff is 'sworn to secrecy'
The affair started back in 2019. While campaigning for future president Joe Biden, Kamala Harris spoke to fast-food workers, claiming she had worked at McDonald's in the 1980s. She explained having 'fond memories' of her time there. However, there is apparently no way to check whether the Vice President's statement is true.
Indeed, McDonald's executives have reacted to the allegation, explaining they cannot confirm nor deny the claim. In an internal letter sent to USA franchises of the brand, the corporation reportedly wrote:
We and our franchisees don't have records for all positions dating back to the early '80s.
The letter was anonymously sent to the press via social media, and it has been verified by the Wall Street Journal. In April 2024, Kamala Harris spoke out on the topic once again, telling Drew Barrymore that she 'did fries' while she worked for the fast-food chain. The Vice President's team gave further information, saying she worked at the Central Avenue McDonald's location in Alameda County, California, during the summer of 1983, while she was a freshman student at Howard University.
McDonald's employees were approached by the media to confirm the claim, but they have reportedly explained they had been 'sworn to secrecy' not to speak about Kamala Harris to reporters.
The brand does not endorse any presidential candidate
Meanwhile McDonald's had chosen to host Donald Trump over the weekend on 20 October 2024 for an event. However, the brand claims it is not endorsing the former president for this year's election. Indeed, Donald Trump appeared at a McDonald's restaurant in Pennsylvania over the weekend, serving pre-selected Republican customers, before answering questions from the press and the public via the drive-thru window. The restaurant had been closed to the public for the occasion.
In a message sent to McDonald's employees on Monday 21 October 2024, which was then relayed by the Associated Press, executives explained the owner of the franchise had reached out to the head of the company, explaining Donald Trump wanted to visit one of the restaurants. The board then reportedly agreed to the visit, stating:
Upon learning of the former president’s request, we approached it through the lens of one of our core values: we open our doors to everyone.
The company emphasized it was not endorsing any candidate for the election, as it wants to remain politically neutral. The message read:
McDonald’s does not endorse candidates for elected office and that remains true in this race for the next president. We are not red or blue – we are golden.
Donald Trump's publicity stunt reportedly led to backlash on social media, with thousands of Internet users posting under the hashtag #boycottmcdonalds.
Read more:
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Sources used:
Daily Mail: McDonald's claims they are missing Kamala Harris's employment records as staff are 'sworn to secrecy'
ABC News: McDonald's agreed to Trump event but insists it isn't endorsing a candidate
Wall Street Journal: Kamala Harris’s McJob
Associated Press: McDonald’s agreed to Trump event but says it isn’t endorsing a presidential candidate
